DIY - rear sway bar [pics]

[Hamster]

I enjoyed looking at the pics that show how to install the sway bar. Ultimately, I couldn't do it myself, thought, since I'm a girl, and I just don't have the strength to lift the sway bar. I had to pay a shop $100 to installed it. So, if you're capable of doing it yourself, do it, since it'll save you a lot of money.

[cali yaris]

@ hamster -- I think that's a pretty stiff fee for a 20 minute job. Glad you got it installed ok!

[Hamster]

Cali Yaris, I completely agree that it was a lot of money for a small, quick job, and I really wish I were physically able to do it myself. However, the dealership wanted $150, so hey, it could be worse.

[cali yaris]

^ No kidding! That is a lot better than the dealer.

[Hamster]

Yeah, I don't know how it is across the country, but the dealerships here are insane. Just out of curiosity, I inquired how much it would cost to install the splashguards. All the dealerships in my city wanted $90. I mean, WTF? I'm sorry, but it doesn't cost $90 of labor to turn a few screws.

[CrankyOldMan]

As far as I know, all the Yarii have identical front/rear suspension parts, so all of the sway bars and bracing (except roll bar/harness mounts) are interchangeable.

[cali yaris]

^ Correct. Yaris suspension is the same on the liftback and the sedan. And it seems, so far, on the 2012 as well.

[auxmike]

I recall jacking up the car and pulling the wheels. I wouldn't remove a lower shock bolt while laying under the car! I suppose if you had a lift it would be a 20min job....
Realistic , I'd allow an hour for a safe , careful install.

[Mz3oh5]

Do you have to really take off your rims & tires for the install !?

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by Mz3oh5

Do you have to really take off your rims & tires for the install !?

No, but it does make it a tad bit easier. You need to be less of a contortionist with the wheels off. I did mine wheels on, and it quickly becomes apparent exactly what it is about the job that leads to the recommendation to remove them.

[cali yaris]

^Yes, this.

You don't really have to take off the wheels, but it makes the job easier and safer.

The comment about two hours is just silly, and so what if it does take that long? You only do this mod once and it's on there forever. Modding is supposed to be FUN guys.

[Mz3oh5]

Ya I did that with my Tanabe Front Strut Tower Bar & it took forever (never again). Thank you for writing back! Working on cars is FUN until a dummie loses a bolt lol :)

[albee213]

I do not understand how this can improve the handling unless A the rear is independant suspension and B it attaches the the body somehow.

"The 2007 Toyota Yaris' suspension system includes an independent MacPherson strut for the front and a torsion beam rear suspension with front stabilizer bar."

How does a sway bar make a difference when its not attached to anything? I want to upgrade my suspension someday but just cant think of how this would help.

[derickveliz2]

When body roll occurs one side of the suspension goes up mechanically pulls up the other side, it's very cool and simple!
use a pair of glasses and try to simulate what happens in your car.

D.

[cali yaris]

How does a sway bar make a difference when its not attached to anything?

How can it be on the car but not attached to anything? Technically the rear "sway" bar is a torsion bar. If you want details on how it works exactly, there are a couple of animations on the internet that make visualizing it easy.

Further, there are at least fifty customers on here (and hundreds more from my store) that ALL (and I actually mean every one) agree the rear "sway" bar on the Yaris reduces body roll, increases stability, and reduces wind buffeting and freeway wander.

Hopefully that mountain of real life evidence and testimonial is worth something.

[tk-421]

I've done quite a few mods to my Yaris, but very few have made as big a difference as a rear sway bar. The car used to feel like I was riding on jelly; now turns are way more solid and precise.

You can't go wrong with a sway bar on this car. As caliyaris said, lots of members have bought them and I doubt you'll find one unhappy sway bar customer on here.

[bairjo]

This is a link from when I did my 2010 a while back...hope this helps when you decide to do it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RKn7vV4fIo

[albee213]

Sway bars usualy attach to the frame of the car or to non moving parts so that they can make both wheels work together to help keep the car level, I understand how one works but these just attach the bottom of one strut to the other strut and the bar is not attached to anything, I do not see how it can make the car stiffer.

The rear axle is solid in a U shape and adding a bar between them just doesnt make sence to me, I am going to try one and not going to argue wether it imporves handling or not. I am just skeptical.